U.S. patent number 5,494,287 [Application Number 08/263,273] was granted by the patent office on 1996-02-27 for gaming machine having dynamic payout amounts.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bally Gaming International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert P. Manz.
United States Patent |
5,494,287 |
Manz |
February 27, 1996 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Gaming machine having dynamic payout amounts
Abstract
A dynamic payout system and method for a gaming machine permit
the random selection of a payout for a particular game outcome from
a predetermined range of payout amounts. The player is provided
with a range of possible payouts that may be paid upon the
occurrence of a particular game outcome. When the player initiates
game play, an input-output interface generates an initiate signal.
A game control microprocessor, in response to the initiate signal,
randomly selects a game outcome that includes a metered winning
game outcome. If a winning game outcome occurs, the microprocessor
then randomly selects a payout amount from a predetermined range of
payout amounts stored in memory, which includes metered payout
amounts. A meter display displays the metered payout amount. A
payout device such as a coin hopper dispenses the metered payout
amount. Additional features of the system include a meter display
that incrementally displays the metered payout amount and a coin
hopper that incrementally dispenses the metered payout amount
synchronously with the incremental display of the metered payout
amount.
Inventors: |
Manz; Robert P. (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Assignee: |
Bally Gaming International,
Inc. (Las Vegas, NV)
|
Family
ID: |
23001075 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/263,273 |
Filed: |
June 21, 1994 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/143R |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
17/3244 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
17/32 (20060101); G07F 017/34 (); A63F
005/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/85CP,138R,138A,143R,269,292 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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3915655 |
|
Nov 1990 |
|
DE |
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2098779 |
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Nov 1982 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Harrison; Jessica J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jenner & Block
Claims
I claim:
1. A gaming machine, comprising:
initiating means responsive to player input for generating an
initiate signal;
control means responsive to said initiate signal for randomly
selecting a game outcome from a plurality of possible game outcomes
that includes a metered winning game outcome;
pay means responsive to said control means for selecting a metered
payout amount when the selected game outcome is said metered
winning game outcome, said metered payout amount being randomly
selected from a predetermined range of payout amounts;
game display means responsive to said control means for displaying
said game outcome;
meter display means responsive to said pay means for displaying
said metered payout amount;
payout means operatively associated with said pay means for
generating a payout signal in response to said selection of said
metered payout amount; and
dispensing means responsive to said payout signal for dispensing
said metered payout amount.
2. A gaming machine according to claim 1 further including meter
display control means operatively associated with said pay means
for providing an incremental display of numbers from a lower
predetermined amount to said metered payout amount on said meter
display.
3. A gaming machine according to claim 2 wherein said payout means
includes means operatively associated with said meter display
control means for controlling the dispensing means to incrementally
dispense said metered payout amount synchronously with said
incremental display of numbers.
4. A gaming machine according to claim 2 wherein said payout means
includes means operatively associated with said meter display
control means for generating said payout signal upon completion of
said incremental display of numbers.
5. A gaming machine, comprising:
means for generating an initiate signal in response to a user
input;
control means responsive to said initiate signal for randomly
selecting a game outcome from a plurality of possible game outcomes
that includes a metered winning game outcome;
logic means responsive to said initiate signal for randomly
selecting a metered amount from a predetermined range of payout
amounts;
game display means responsive to said control means for displaying
said game outcome;
a meter display responsive to said logic means for displaying said
metered payout amount;
meter display control means operatively connected to said meter
display for incrementally displaying a series of numbers on said
meter display from a lower amount to said metered payout
amount;
payout means for generating a payout signal in response to said
selection of said metered payout amount; and
dispensing means responsive to said payout signal for dispensing
said metered payout amount.
6. A method for providing a dynamic payout amount in a gaming
apparatus, comprising the steps of:
storing a table of payout amounts for a plurality of winning game
outcomes including a metered game outcome wherein said payout
amount for said metered game outcome is a range of payout amounts
having a predetermined range, each of said winning game outcomes
corresponding to a predetermined combination of said symbols;
randomly selecting from said range a metered payout amount when a
metered game outcome occurs;
displaying incrementally said range from the lowest value of said
range to said metered payout amount; and
dispensing said metered payout amount.
7. The method according to claim 6 further including displaying
said metered payout amount.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of gaming machines, and more
particularly, to gaming machines that generate a payout of money
upon the occurrence of certain game outcomes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Widely known gaming machines have displays of symbols which form
combinations, some of which are designated as winning combinations.
For example, traditional slot machines have three to five rotatable
reels arranged side by side, which are visible through a glass
panel containing a win line. These gaming machines usually employ
mechanically spinning physical reels or more recently, video
displays of spinning reels. The reels are rotated through a number
of angular reel stop positions, and include symbols such as bars or
fruit, which are rotated on the peripheral surface of the reels to
indicate the reel stop positions. As each reel rotates, its symbols
are repetitively displayed in serial order and in visual
association with the win line. In other types of video gaming
machines, including such games as poker or black jack, the symbols
displayed on the video screen may represent playing cards or other
items.
In both the mechanical and video type gaming machines, to spin the
reels or otherwise initiate game play, a player inserts a token or
selects a credit representing a monetary value and then pulls a
handle or pushes a button. The token may be coin, currency or the
like; credit may be provided by a credit or debit card mechanism.
For convenience, all such tokens and credits are referred to herein
as simply "coins." The slot machine then randomly stops the
spinning reels at selected reel stop positions so that each reel
displays a randomly-selected one of its symbols through the glass
panel in visual association with the win line. For each reel, the
displayed symbol is the reel outcome.
In earlier mechanical or electromechanical gaming machines, the
spinning reels were mechanically stopped to determine the reel
outcome and sensors detected the reel stop positions to determine
whether the player had achieved a winning game outcome. In these
traditional machines, the reel both determined and displayed the
game outcome.
In more recent developments, a microprocessor or other control
circuit randomly determines each reel outcome, and thus the overall
game outcome. The microprocessor causes the reels to stop so as to
display the selected reel outcomes. In these newer machines, the
reel's function is simply to display the reel outcome determined by
the microprocessor. In accordance with one known method, each reel
stop position is associated with a symbol. The microprocessor then
selects one of the reel stop positions, and a reel control
mechanism stops the spinning reel to display the symbol at the
selected position.
Regardless of how reel outcomes are selected, the combination of
displayed symbols is the game result or outcome. Each game outcome
corresponds to a payout, a number of which may be zero. Payouts may
be associated with game outcomes either mechanically for older
machines or electronically, by, for example, using payout tables in
memory.
After game outcome is determined, the gaming machine ascertains the
corresponding payout, and actuates a coin hopper or the like to
dispense the winning payout.
To increase player excitement and interest, some machines
dynamically increment payout amounts corresponding to one or more
game outcomes. An example of one such technique is provided in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,123,649.
Because of the repetitive nature of many gaming machines, there
exists a continuing need to develop ever more interesting and
exciting games.
SUMMARY
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a gaming
machine, such as a reel-type or video slot machine, having a higher
level of player appeal. In accordance with the invention, the
payout for one particular game outcome is selected randomly from a
predetermined range of payout amounts. Prior to game play, the
player is provided with a range of possible payouts for this
particular game outcome and the actual payout, called the metered
payout, is randomly selected only after this game outcome
occurs.
Preferably, the selected metered payout amount is displayed to the
player on a payout meter. Prior to and during game operation, the
meter displays the lowest value of the range of payout amounts
corresponding to this particular game outcome. If this game outcome
occurs, the metered payout amount is randomly selected, and the
payout meter is incremented at a rate of one number per second
until it displays the randomly selected metered payout amount.
In one embodiment of the invention, the gaming machine includes
selection logic responsive to a winning game outcome for selecting
a metered payout amount from a predetermined range of payout
amounts. The gaming machine also includes a meter display visible
to the player of the incremental display of numbers from a lower
predetermined payout amount to the selected metered amount.
In another embodiment of the invention, when the metered amount is
finally displayed on the meter, the gaming apparatus actuates a
coin hopper or like device to dispense the winning payout. If a
large range is to be incremented through, the gaming apparatus can
actuate the coin hopper to begin dispensing the metered payout
amount while the meter display is still incrementing.
In a further embodiment of the invention, while the meter display
is showing the incremental display of numbers from the lower
predetermined payout amount to the selected metered payout amount,
the gaming apparatus actuates the coin hopper to begin dispensing
the metered payout amount synchronously with the incremental
display of numbers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronically-controlled
reel-type gaming machine in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic control circuit for the
gaming machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electronically controlled video
reel-type gaming machine in accordance with a second embodiment of
the invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic control circuit for the
gaming machine of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a portion of the memory of
the electronic control circuits of FIGS. 2 and 4;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the payout amount selection logic of the
electronic control circuit shown in FIGS. 2 and 4;
FIG. 7 is an illustration of the top glass display of the reel-type
gaming machine of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the
invention; and
FIG. 8 is an illustration of the top glass display of the reel-type
gaming machine of FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A. Technical Environment
FIG. 1 illustrates a reel spinning type gaming machine 10 in
accordance with the invention. The gaming machine 10 includes a
housing 12, a coin input slot 14 into which a user inserts coins or
tokens, and a handle 16, which a user pulls to initiate game play
after one or more coins or tokens have been inserted into the slot
14. In lieu of the handle 16, the user can initiate game play by
pressing a button, key or other activator device. A coin hopper
(not shown) is located inside housing 12 and selectively dispenses
coins to a player through a coin output slot 20. A backlighted top
glass 22 displays pay schedules, i.e., payout amounts for various
winning symbol combinations.
The gaming machine 10 also features a reel display area 18, in
which a number (in this case, three) of rotatable reels 30, 32 and
34 are displayed along a win line 26. Each one of the reels 30, 32
and 34 includes a set of symbols, shown in FIG. 1 as "BAR/BAR"
cherries and "7" which are repetitively serially displayed in
visual association with the win line 26 as the reels spin.
The reels 30, 32 and 34 may be mechanically spinning reels which
are mounted for rotation through a number of predetermined angular
positions or "reel stop positions" relative to the win line 26. The
operation of such a mechanical reel display mechanism is more fully
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,795 issued to Saxton. The symbols
are displayed on the periphery of the reels to indicate the reel
stop positions.
Referring to FIG. 2, the gaming machine 10 includes an electronic
control circuit 38. The electronic control circuit 38 has a game
control microprocessor 40, such as a Motorola 68000, and an
input-output interface 42. Game control software and data as
described below are stored in an erasable programmable read-only
memory ("EPROM") 44. The game control software is executed by the
microprocessor 40 for enabling operation of the gaming machine 10
in accordance with the invention. Working storage for game data is
provided by a random access memory ("RAM") 46. Preferably, the RAM
46 is associated with battery back-up 48 to prevent data loss in
the event of a power failure. An address bus 50 and a data bus 52
interconnect the microprocessor 40, the input-output interface 42,
EPROM 44 and RAM 46.
The input-output interface 42 includes inputs for a door sensor
signal 54, a handle sensor signal 56, a coin input sensor signal
58, a coin hopper output signal 60, and a meter display output
signal 66. The door sensor signal 54 is operatively associated with
a door sensor (not shown), and indicates when an access door (not
shown) in the housing 12 is open. The handle sensor signal 56 is
coupled to a handle sensor (not shown), and indicates when the user
has pulled the handle 16. The coin input sensor signal 58 is
coupled to a coin input sensor (not shown), and indicates the
insertion of coins or tokens by the user into the coin input slot
14. The coin hopper output signal 60 is coupled to a coin hopper
(not shown), which is secured inside housing 12. When a player
wins, the game control circuit 38 actuates the coin hopper output
signal which causes the coin hopper to dispense a predetermined
number of coins through the coin output slot
The input-output interface 42 is also coupled to a reel control
mechanism 62. The reel control mechanism 62 is operatively
associated with reels 30, 32, and 34, which are shown in FIG. 2 as
block 64. The reel control mechanism 62 includes a stepper motor or
the like for rotating the reels 32 and 34 in response to commands
from the electronic control circuit 38. As is known, the reel
control mechanism 62 has the ability to stop each of the reels 30,
32 and 34 at selected reel stop positions.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an alternative embodiment of the
invention is shown in which the reels 30, 32 and 34 may be
computer-generated images of the physically spinning reels
described above. Reference numbers in FIGS. 3 and 4 corresponding
to elements in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same. In this embodiment, the
reel display area 18 includes a video display 24, or other suitable
display device, as illustrated in the gaming machine 10' of FIG.
3.
FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment 38' of the electronic
control circuit 38. The alternative control circuit 38' is adapted
for use with the video gaming machine shown in FIG. 3. To this end,
control circuit 38' includes video interface circuit 68 which is
coupled to input-output interface 42. The video interface circuit
is coupled to the video display 24, and enables control circuit 38'
to display images of reels 30, 32 and 34 on video display 24, and
to cause those images to simulate the starting and stopping
operations described above in connection with the reel control
mechanism
To operate the gaming apparatus 10, a user inserts coins or tokens
into the coin input 14 and pulls the handle The control circuit 38
detects the insertion of coins via coin input sensor signal 58, and
the pulling of the handle 16 via the handle sensor signal 56.
At approximately the same time, the microprocessor 40, via
input-output interface 42 and reel control mechanism 62 (or in the
case of video slot machine 10' video interface circuit 68)
initiates the rotation of reels 30, 32 and 34. The microprocessor
40 then stops the reels 30, 32 and 34 to display the randomly
selected game outcome.
B. Selection of Metered Payout Amount.
For each reel 30, 32 and 34, each combination of the displayed
symbols on the win line 26 can be considered as a game outcome. For
video gaming machines, the displayed symbols may represent, for
example, playing cards comprising a poker hand in which "winning
poker hands" such as a high pair, two pair or three of a kind or
similar hands are winning game outcomes.
In accordance with the present invention, the electronic control
circuit 38 randomly selects a game outcome. Referring to FIGS. 2, 5
and 6, if the game outcome is a winning game outcome, it will be
seen that microprocessor 40, in some cases, selects a game outcome
in cooperation with the software and data stored in the EPROM 44
and the RAM 46.
In the gaming machine 10, the microprocessor 40 randomly selects
stop positions for each of the reels 30, 32 and 34. Once the reel
stop positions have been selected, the microprocessor 40 determines
whether a winning game outcome is present and how much the payout
should be. The microprocessor 40 accesses the payout amount table
stored in the memory of EPROM 44. In the preferred embodiment, the
microprocessor 40 can also access a metered payout amounts table 80
stored in the EPROM 44 memory.
Referring to FIG. 5, each of the possible metered payout amounts is
stored in a table 80, which represents a block of memory in the
EPROM 44. Each line (or "record") of the table 80 contains two
columns (or "fields"): a probability factor field 82 and metered
payout amount field 84.
The probability factor field 82 allows a probability factor or
weighting to be associated with each of the payout amounts. In the
illustrated embodiment, the probability factor field 82 contains
successive subranges of the range 0 through N, where N is equal to
999. Other values of N may be used. The larger the value of N, the
broader the spectrum of probabilities which may be assigned to the
payout amounts. The payout amount field 84 contains payout amounts,
of which each payout amount corresponds to a subrange of the
probability factors.
FIG. 6 is a logical flow chart illustrating operation of the
microprocessor 40 in randomly selecting a metered payout amount
from the table 80. In summary, the microprocessor 40 generates a
random number between 0 and N, and then steps through the table 80
until it locates the line having the subrange which contains the
random number. The payout amount stored in that particular line of
the table 80 is the metered payout amount. For clarity, the term
"metered payout amount" shall mean the randomly selected payout
amount corresponding to a particular winning game outcome.
It will be noted that game combinations corresponding to very high
payouts can be given a small subrange (as small as 1, for example).
Where N is set to a large number, the use of small subranges means
the odds of drawing such high payout game combinations can be very
low. These low odds make it economically feasible for game owners
to offer larger potential payouts for certain game outcomes which
in turn tend to increase player interest in the game.
This process is described more fully as follows. Beginning at step
90, the microprocessor 40 determines if a winning game outcome has
occurred. At step 92, if a winning game outcome has occurred, the
microprocessor 40 determines if a metered payout is to selected. If
the payout is not to be metered, at step 94, the microprocessor 40
will look up the payout amount in a pay schedule table resident in
EPROM 44. At step 96, the payout amount is dispensed.
If a metered payout amount is to be selected, beginning at step 98,
the microprocessor 40 generates a random number X between 0 and N;
in this case, N equals 999. A memory variable or "pointer" tracks
the current record of the table
At the step 98, the pointer is set to the first line of the table
80, making line 1 the "current" record. The microprocessor 40
examines the current record, and compares the randomly generated
number X to the subrange set forth in the probability field 82. If
X falls within the subrange, then control moves to step 100.
If X does not fall within the subrange set forth in the probability
field 82, control remains at step 98, where the pointer is
incremented by one to advance the microprocessor 40 to the next
record. Step 98 is repeated until a metered payout amount is
selected from the table 80. Control then moves to step 100.
At step 100, if the metered payout amount is the same as the payout
amount shown on the meter display 110 in FIG. 7, the metered payout
amount is dispensed at step 96. If the metered payout amount is not
the same as the payout amount shown on the meter display 110,
control moves to step 102, where the meter display 110 is
incremented to the metered payout amount. Control returns to step
100. Control then advances to step where the metered payout amount
is dispensed.
FIG. 7 provides an illustration of a top glass 106 which is a
simplified version of the top glass 22 of FIG. 1, including the
meter display 110. For clarity, a simple pay schedule 108 and the
meter display 110 are depicted in FIG. 7. In practice, on most
gaming machines 10 all pay schedules are displayed on the top glass
22. On the glass 106, the pay schedule 108 displays winning game
outcomes of the reels 30, 32 and 34. A column 112 displays payout
amounts for the first three winning game outcomes in the pay
schedule 108. The display meter 110 displays the lowest possible
payout amount for the fourth winning game outcome until that
winning game outcome has occurred and the microprocessor 40 has
selected a metered payout amount that differs from the amount
displayed on the meter display 110. The meter display 110 then
incrementally displays the series of numbers from the lower amount
to the metered payout amount.
FIG. 8 provides an illustration of a top glass 118 which is a
simplified version of the top glass 22 of FIG. 1, including a set
of meter displays 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, and 130. For clarity,
only two pay schedules and meter displays 120 through 130 are
depicted in FIG. 8 instead of all the pay schedules which on most
gaming machines 10 are typically displayed on the top glass 22. In
the alternative, the pay schedules may be displayed on a video
screen or other display device. On the glass 118, a column 132
displays winning game outcomes of the reels 30, 32 and 34. A pair
of columns, 114 and 116, display payout amounts for one and two
coins inserted respectively. A column 114 displays payout amounts
for the first two winning game outcomes. The display meters 120 and
122 display the lowest possible payout amount for the third and
fourth winning game outcomes. When a winning game outcome has
occurred and the microprocessor 40 has selected a metered payout
amount that differs from the amount displayed on the corresponding
meter display 120 or 122, that meter display 120 or 122 then
incrementally displays the series of numbers from the lower amount
to the metered payout amount.
Likewise, the meter displays 124, 126, 128 and 130 in column 116
display the lowest possible payout amount for the respective
winning game outcomes. When a winning game outcome for the
corresponding meter display 124, 126, 128 or 130 has occurred and
the microprocessor 40 has selected a metered payout amount that
differs from the amount displayed on the corresponding meter
display 124, 126, 128 or 130, that meter display 124, 126, 128 or
130 then incrementally displays the series of numbers from the
lower amount to the metered payout amount.
The foregoing operation is generally the same in both the physical
reel and video reel embodiments of the gaming machine 10. There are
numerous alternative ways in which the table of metered payout
amounts can be set up as well as numerous alternative ways in which
the meter can display the metered payout amounts in accordance with
the invention.
By creating suspense surrounding the metered payout and the
incrementing display as described above, player excitement and
interest can be increased significantly.
* * * * *